Arizonans now have a constitutional right to elective abortions up to birth, and gave law enforcement the go-ahead to arrest illegal immigrants — but they will not be getting election reform in the way of ranked-choice voting and open primaries.
Proposition 139 makes it a constitutional right to have an abortion. The proposition allows elective abortions up to viability, but does not limit them after. Under the proposition, abortions may be obtained after viability to protect the life or “health” of the mother. That latter term indicates a subjective definition nearly as permissive as the allowance for elective abortions.
The group behind the proposition, Arizona For Abortion Access, celebrated the total legalization of elective abortions.
“We proved, yet again, that Arizona is a state that values freedom and individual rights,” said the organization.
We did it! Arizona has overwhelmingly voted to protect abortion access! We proved, yet again, that Arizona is a state that values freedom and individual rights. Thank you to the thousands of voters, volunteers, and donors— this victory belongs to you. pic.twitter.com/gYtCV8jIWT
— Yes on Prop. 139! Arizona for Abortion Access (@azforaccess) November 6, 2024
Proposition 140 proposed to implement ranked-choice voting in races with two or more candidates, as well as replace the current, partisan primary election system with open primaries. Ranked-choice voting relies on voters ranking candidates by preference. Candidates who receive the majority of first-ranked votes win, or the candidates would be eliminated gradually based on their rankings. Open primaries would get rid of party-based primaries, instead allowing any given number of candidates to advance to the general election.
Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb and former Arizona Supreme Court Justice Andrew Gould — co-chairs of the opposition effort for the ballot question, No on Prop 140 Committee — issued a joint statement on the defeat of ranked-choice voting.
“We are so grateful for the Arizonans who stood up to oppose this radical transformation of our elections systems,” said Lamb and Gould. “Voters of all political persuasions wisely concluded that Prop 140 would do irreparable harm to our state if enacted. Arizona elections must be free, fair, and transparent, and that is what our system remains after this just result.”
Although voters rejected these reforms, they also opposed the ballot measure to require primary elections to be partisan (Prop 133).
Proposition 314 makes illegal immigrants applying for state benefits a state crime, authorizes law enforcement to arrest illegal immigrants who don’t cross at a legal port of entry, and makes it a crime to sell fentanyl that causes a death.
Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes told Fox 10 Phoenix that he believes funding will be an issue for implementing Prop 314.
Reyne Montoya, an illegal immigrant activist in Arizona under DACA protections, urged voters to oppose the proposition.
I am a DACA recipient! My livelihood is in the ballot!!!! Please vote 🥹🥹🗳️🗳️
— VOTE NO ON PROP 314 🌵 (@ReynaEMontoya) November 6, 2024
Arizonans also rejected the efforts to: increase the minimum signature requirement for citizen initiatives in each state legislative district rather than statewide (Prop 134), limit the governor’s emergency powers to 30 days (Prop 135), allow pre-election legal challenges to constitutionality of proposed ballot measures (Prop 136), end term limits for judges (Prop 137), reduce the wages of tipped workers by 25 percent below minimum wage as long as tips make income $2 above minimum wage (Prop 138), and to prohibit state agency rules estimated to cost at least $500,000 within five years from taking effect until ratified by the state legislature (Prop 315).
Arizonans did approve several other significant measures: Prop 311, creating a court fee for first responder death benefits; Prop 312, allowing property tax refunds when local laws aren’t enforced; and Prop 313, requiring life sentences for child sex trafficking.